Optus has announced this morning the completion of its national network upgrade project, resulting in over 4,400 mobile sites nationally to provide significantly improved indoor coverage and call quality for its 3G customers. Part of this project has been the roll-out of 900 MHz spectrum to the 3G network, increasing indoor coverage from 70% to 90% in metropolitan areas.
The 900 MHz roll-out completed earlier this month with the upgrade of some 70 sites in and around Canberra. With up to 9.5 million customers accessing Optus’ network nation-wide, Optus has committed to retain the focus on 3G improvement and quality while it grows its 4G network to take over. Optus has (unsurprising) plans to continue its 4G and 4G Plus roll-outs in the first half of 2014. Come April (just three months away), Optus 4G performance in metropolitan areas should have grown significantly with faster data available for all.
Coming next, though, will be 4G delivered over the 2600 MHz and 700 MHz bands, the latter having opened up following the digital switch-off concluded in December 2013. Optus has a bit of work ahead of it, and has secured the cooperation of the Nine Network and Network Ten in gaining trial licences for services in these spectrums.
